Description
Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars combine the tartness of blueberries with the creamy richness of cream cheese on a buttery graham cracker crust topped with a crumbly streusel. Perfect for gatherings, dessert, or a sweet snack, these bars are easy to make and delicious whether using fresh or frozen blueberries.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cooking spray
- 15 graham crackers
- 1 large egg (for crust)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for crust)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (for crust)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (for crust)
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 large egg (for filling, room temperature)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 cup blueberry jam
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly spray a 9×9-inch baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add egg white, melted butter, granulated sugar, and kosher salt; process until mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add granulated sugar and egg, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract until just blended.
- Prepare blueberries by rinsing and drying fresh berries or thawing and draining frozen ones. Mash slightly with a fork, leaving some whole. Fold in blueberry jam.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, dark brown sugar, melted butter, lemon zest, and kosher salt until crumbly.
- Spread cream cheese filling evenly over the crust.
- Dollop blueberry mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle crumbly topping evenly over the blueberries.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until edges are firm and topping is golden brown.
- Cool for 30 minutes, then refrigerate until cold and firm before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs for a smooth filling.
- Don’t overmix cream cheese filling to avoid cracks during baking.
- Chill bars thoroughly before cutting for clean slices.
- Substitute gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free version.
- Use fresh ripe blueberries for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx.)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Blueberry Cream Cheese Bars, Blueberry dessert bars, Cream cheese bars, Blueberry recipes, Easy dessert bars